Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/348

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LOVE ME LITTLE—LOVE ME LONG.
Jolly shepherd, shepherd on a green,
  On a green so merrily,
  On a green so cherrily,
Be thy voice shrill, be thy mirth seen,
Heard to each swain, seen to each trull,
Both sing and say, Love's joy is full.

Jolly shepherd, shepherd in the sun,
  In the sun so merrily,
  In the sun so cherrily,
Sing forth thy songs, and let thy rhymes run,
Down to the dales, to the hills above,
Both sing and say, no life like Love!

Jolly shepherd, shepherd in the shade,
  In the shade so merrily,
  In the shade so cherrily,
Joy in thy life, life of shepherd's trade,
Joy in thy love, love full of glee,
Both sing and say, sweet Love for me!

Jolly shepherd, here or there,
  Here or there so merrily,
  Here or there so cherrily,
Or in thy chat, or at thy cheer,
In every jigge, in every lay,
Both sing and say, Love lasts for aye!

Love Me Little—Love Me Long.
Love me little—love me long,
Is the burden of my song,
Love that is too hot and strong
    Burneth soon to waste.
Still I would not have thee cold,
Not too backward or too bold;
Love that lasteth till 'tis old
    Eadeth not in haste.

If thou lovest me too much,
It will not prove as true as touch;
Love me little, more than such,
    For I fear the end.

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